Monday, February 27, 2012

We spent the weekend in style. And by that I mean we stayed in our jammies well after breakfast time, we were unproductive, we napped with babies.
Pure delight.
We had a fabulous week that set up the weekend for its lovely, always faithful performance. We're week 2 into our stay with the Ho's and this weekend, they were away photographing a wedding in Texas. So we spread out throughout their house for sleep and cozied up even more. I whipped us up a Saturday morning breakfast, a tradition that has been put on the back burner the last month but it's return was gladly welcomed.
I found a recipe for breakfast pizza and we're already scheming on improvements and additions for the next one. Additions as in, we'll be adding country gravy to be hosed down on top. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
For now, here's what was served.

Breakfast Pizza...tweaked a bit

1 can pizza dough

1 package breakfast sausage

8 eggs

1/4 c. half & half

salt and pepper

green onion and red pepper (as much or as little as you like)

2 handfuls cheddar jack cheese

1. spread out dough on cookie sheet

2. cook sausage in skillet, set aside

3. beat eggs, half/half, salt/pepper and veggies

4. scramble egg mixture

5. spread sausage, eggs, and cheese all over dough

6. bake according to directions on can

Enjoy.

The hubs took all of us on a date to our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Barbie was invited too. I've come to grips with the fact that lip gloss, Barbies, and accessories are just a part of anything we do.
We stopped by the OU women's gymnastic meet. And to our luck, we even sat near the pom pom girls who, in our house, have celebrity status.

Sophie seized the opportunity to bust out her dance moves in the aisle.

Sister can move.

My mom came for the day and we piddled around town, a little shopping, a little lunch, and maybe a few cupcakes.
I saw a picture of a cupcake on a gift card and could not be detoured.
We decided to take our sweet morsels back to our new house and sit on the back porch to enjoy, steps forward in making it home.

It worked. Peanut Butter and Jelly cupcakes have that kind of influence.

And then it was time to celebrate this special one, Halle Beth.
This precious baby turned 1 and her family celebrated with a huge party complete with little touches that reflect her sweetness and powerful influence.
She's a world changer already. What an honor it is to know Halle and be in her world. She is a blessing to all. Happy birthday sweet girl, you are loved.

Amidst all the fun, we had some logistics to do at the house. It's coming along, fast and efficient, just how I like it. Here's a sneak peek at the progress.Entry and living room before...A few more steps in...Entry and living room mid-after progress...

Oh, and a little taste of one of the strawberry milkshake rooms.
We're on schedule to move in about 4 weeks. Hip hip hooray!
After the house, we moved onto more fun endeavors. We went ran into friends at Target, cuddled on the couch, and picked out Easter dresses. And being in any sort of store right now immediately sends me into cravings for things I don't even like but somehow still want, like Peeps, Cadbury eggs, and cheesy Easter door wreaths.

Spring is approaching and with it will bring many changes of season and in life. We'll soon leave the Ho's, move in with the Waggoner's, and the grand finale, the last move into our house.

Until then, we're grateful and learning the ropes of house hopping and family mushing.

The week holds a quicker pace we must succumb to. And I love the week, the pace, the going and doing. And deep inside my heart, I will make plans for the Saturday to come because I'm convinced there's nothing better than a jammied babied body cruising around with a belly full of pancakes and syrup. Weekend delightfulness for the taking.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Chris had the day off for President's Day.
A bit of a last minute surprise that welcomed in shrieks of joy from the girls, unlocking heart swells of hidden plans tucked away for a dreamy day together as a family.

We began our day with breakfast at a local Mexican diner. The girls played it safe with their selected choices of pancakes while Chris and I went for the gold. Huevos Rancheros. Not sure if my nausea is tapering off or if my taste buds were on target, but I promise you it's the best breakfast I've ever had.

A trip to Starbucks to see Alicia and load up on my long lost love of coffee. Hot cocoa requests were met and we set off for the girls' next choice on the agenda.

We quickly gulped down our drinks and cozied up at the dinosaur museum.

I love the questions that come from little curious minds.Mama, what happens at night? I mean, where to the dinosaur bones sleep?Why is he angry (referring to the T-rex)?Where's his mommy?
And then without a doubt, the supreme answer is given to put an end to any possible query.Oh, he must be hungry. Courtesy of Sophie's logic and explanation.
I like this kid. I liker her a lot.

Alice was indifferent on the dinosaurs or any exhibit for that matter. The children's exploration center on the other hand, was just her style. Sister colored, played, and took the grand opportunity to practicer her mad skills of pushing a chair around the room.
All in all, we love this place. A family favorite for sure.

We visited the deli for lunch, running into friends. Exchanging hellos and catching up on adventures to Africa and updates of kids.
A few tasks still needed to be done, so we did them together, including getting groceries. And in my opinion what is usually a tetris task to be executed in speed and efficiency, today, we more relished and soaked in. We piddled and strolled through aisles, stopping by the bakery for freshly baked cookies on our way to picking out our favorite fruit.
Our house construction is underway and decisions are being made. Today, I made the executive decision to paint all of the bedrooms upstairs pink. Each room will soon look like a strawberry milkshake poured over the walls. I'm excited about this raising 4 baby girls adventure we're on. Embracing with joy the many shades of pink and pink. I can almost hear Shelby's southern twang in her voice...I like pink, Mama. Pink is my signature color.
My thoughts exactly.

My girl was headed out to school, proudly dressed in her self-chosen attire. So proud and independent. Sometimes I still catch myself packing her lunch and thinking to myself how I can't believe I'm already a mama. Driving carpool, running babies to ballet, filling sippy cups, and writing notes in her lunch like my sweet mama used to do. It's surreal to me even now.
We've chosen this life of changing diapers, watching your waistline expand to accommodate a growing nugget, and being on the never ending rotation of meals and baths. Because the truth is we've been entrusted with royalty, every parent has been. We've got babies to raise up so that when their little feet hit the ground, the enemy's heart trembles with fear.
They're awake and they're coming.
They're coming to lay hands on the sick and see them healed.
They're coming to shake up the foundation of the kingdom of darkness and forever change the world around them.
And it begins in a diaper gripping sippy cup.
I loved this day, every minute of it.
Even though sprinkled with tantrums and whining...I didn't want it to end.
And so it has, the norm has resumed and we are filled with an inexpressible joy we can't contain. We get mini versions all week long of this glorious day chalked with play and togetherness.
And while we're on the topic of joy, my girl has added a second word to her list of things to say. Hi. Sounds more like Hi-yee and it's about the sweetest sound I've ever heard. Doesn't matter if you are coming or going, she'll say it to you and it will wreck you. She's thinking about saying Mama, I can just tell.
Shrieks of joy and heart swells for sure.

Speaking heart swells, here's a bump pic for the family and friends, far far away. We're 14 weeks in and we can't wait to meet her.
She'll come along on our dreamy days soon enough.
Happy week to you!